Brussel Sprout Summer Salad

This is a riff on the classic Broccoli Salad, without the sugar and add mustard.  Because mustard goes with everything Brassica. 

Brassica?

I had a but a small quantity of Broccoli and a larger amount of Brussel Sprouts, and guests en route.

1+ LBS (500g) Brussel Sprouts

4 strips ~ 1/3 LB (150g) of thick cut American or streaky bacon, cooked and diced

1/2 C ~ 4 oz (125g) of Good Cheddar Cheese, freshly grated.

2-3 TBS (30-45ml) of mayonaise

1-2 tsp (5-10ml) of Dijon Mustard (preferred: Trader Joes)

1-2 TBS (15-30ml) of Cider vinegar (optional) 

2 TBS (30 ml) Pezneys Northwoods Seasoning (subsitiute Cajun Seasoning)

2 TBS (30 ml) Olive Oil 

1 tsp (5ml) garlic powder to taste

Black pepper to taste. No salt should be needed b/c Bacon+Cheddar+Seasoning)

If the Brussel Sprouts are the size of my thumb, quarter them, if they are smaller, halve them.

Toss the Sprouts in the oil and seasoning.  Roast the brussel sprouts on a sheet pan for about 5-6 minutes in a convection oven at 400f (200c) until they are tender but still firm in the center.  This may take a little longer in a regular oven.  Test with a fork.

Once the sprouts are warm, but no longer hot, put them in a bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir with a spoon until thouroughly mixed.

Serve Chilled.

Optional ingredients:  Raisins; Cranberries; Nuts, Seeds.

My guests arrived, extended family, from France by way of Denver, CO. Their enthusiam for this dish was flattering.  It was a delicious complement the soy bourbon marinated London Broil.

 

 

Ingredients List

Most of my cooking comes from my pantry, or a local source.  But sometimes I have to resort to Amazon because my local source goes away.  

I am not an Amazon affiliate so buying here doesn't do anything for me.  I couldn't figure out how to get the pictures in the blog, so so these should help you find them in the grocery store or market.

Laxmi Ginger Garlic Paste... I Love this stuff, discovered it about 10 years ago as I was touristing through a Hindi grocery store.  Provides mild ginger and garlic flavor to any dish, dressing or sauce.  Probably available at any Indian / Pakistani grocery, and there are other brands.  

I get mine in Claymont:  Indian Bazaar Claymont

But you can get it on Amazon:  Laxmi Traditional Indian Ginger Garlic Cooking Paste

I can find Siracha and Garlic Chili Paste in my regular grocery now, but I couldn't 20 years ago 

Both can be found at Amazon too, with pictures.

We refer to this as Red Cock sauce:  Huy Fong Hot Chili Sauce - Sriracha

Huy Fong Chili Garlic Sauce

Asian Slaw

Just like Asian Noodle Salad, but without the peanut butter.

Asian Slaw

4 Cups of chopped Red Cabbage
1/2 Chopped Red Onion.

1/4 C Soy Sauce
4 TBS Laxmi Garlic Ginger Paste
2-4 TBS Rice Vinegar (plain or seasoned)
2 TBS+ Sesame Oil
1 TBS Canola or other light oil
1 tsp garlic powder to taste 
1/2 - 1 tsp Siracha or Chili Paste to Taste

Whisk all of the above over the salad. Cover the container and shake to integrate.

Flavor Additions:

Raisins
Cranberries
grated carrots
sliced radishes
Sesame Sticks
Sesame seeds
Sunflower seeds
Broken ramen Noodles

Asian Noodle Salad II

Asian Noodle Salad Dressing 2023

1 LB Whole Wheat Pasta 

1/4 C Soy Sauce
4 TBS Laxmi Garlic Ginger Paste

2-4 TBS Rice Vinegar (plain or seasoned)

2 TBS+ Sesame Oil

1 TBS Canola or other light oil

1 tsp garlic powder to taste 

1/2 - 1 tsp Siracha or Chili Paste to Taste

3-4 TBS Peanut butter microwaved for 30 sec to make spreadable

Whisk all of the above except peanut butter.

Cook the noodles, drain and return to pot.  

Mix in the heated peanut butter.   

Pour the dressing into the pot, stirring regularly.

You can also cover the pot and shake the noodles, but the may bruise the noodles.  

Serve warm or chill.

Flavor Additions:

Sesame Sticks

Sesame seeds

Sunflower seeds

Broken peanuts

Broken cashews

Broken ramen Noodles

Pine nuts

Raisins

Cranberries

Mandarin orange slices

Bean sprouts

fresh cilantro 

fresh basil

lime juice and or lime wedge for garnish 

shredded cabbage

shredded broccoli

grated carrots

sliced radishes

2015 Version 

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/1033906941323110634/1126991835702011481

Sauerkraut? Oh! No Sauerkraut and Kielbasa

 Forgot to get Kraut for the Easter Kielbasa.  My wife asked how to spell that and I told her it's Mexican: Qi le Basa.

1/2 head of cabbage, Slice the cabbage 1/4 inch thick
2 strips of bacon or 2 cooked slices cut into 1/2 inch pieces + 1 TBS Bacon grease 
1/2 tart apple sliced 1/8 inch thin
2 medium carrots diced (mainly for color)
1/2 medium onion, sliced thin
3-4 garlic cloves smashed or diced.
1/4 Cider vinegar
1 TBS Bavarian Blend (Penzy's)
1 tsp coarse ground mustard from a Hindustani grocery  (NOT Colemans or powdered muster)

fry the bacon and set aside.  if cooking kielbasa, brown the kielbasa in the bacon grease

Add the remaining ingredients, EXCEPT the cider and saute for 3-4 minutes.  

Add the cider to deglaze, and bring to a simmer. 

Cover and simmer for 35 - 45 minutes until vegetables are tender and the meat is 160 F 

  

 

Gritty Cauliflower Smash

 Gritty is the best mascot in the world.  

Shrimp and Grits are one of my favorite foods... but not low carb.  This is a sort of grits or rice substitute

1 Cup chopped Cauliflower
1/2 Cup Chick Peas
1 Medium Carrot sliced thin
1/4 Medium Onion

Boil the above and mash manually with a slotted potaoto masher

1TBS Sunny spain
1 TBS EVO
1 TBS Butter
1/2 - 1 tsp ground cumin
Garlic, Salt and Pepper to taste

Blend the above into the smash.  Serve in lieu of rice or grits 

Rutabaga: Swedes and Tatties Smash

 My better half has been diagnosed pre-diabetic.  Time for a lot of menu changes.  Out with the starch in with the veggies. I've been working on this for years... But I love potatoes, pasta and corn.   Rice, meh.

In the UK Rutabagas are also called Swedish Turnips or Swedes.  I have no idea where I read that but I love Rutabagas and all things Brassica.  I think Rutabagas are related to cauliflower and mustard, and those are genus Brassica.  I could look that up and be correct but the stream of conciousness is flowing freely now.

I think potatoes are Tatties.  Hence Swedes and Tatties. Basically a lower carb replacement for Mashed Potatoes.

4 LB Rutabaga 1/4" dice
1 LB Potato 1/2" dice
1 Large carrot chopped
1/2 onion diced
4-6 cloves of garlic, smashed.

Boil all of the above until fork tender, drain. reserve some water if needed to thin the smash. using a hand masher or imersion blender smash to desired consistency. 

1/4 cup  butter
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup Good Cheddar (grate yourself for better flavor)  
    Adams Reserve, Cabot Reserve, Cathedral City, Dubliner
1-2 tsp herbs du provence
1-2 tsp salt to taste
1 - 3 tsp garlic to taste
1/2 - 1 tsp ground pepper to taste

Blend all of the above into the smash, increase ingredients to taste. 

I didn't say it was healthy, just lower in carbs